Today I (v2):
05-07-19 | 08:52 AM
Full Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 344
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From: Whitestone,Queens/Bayonne N.J.
Bikes: Aurelia*Bianchi*Cannondale*Colnago*Dahon*Giant*Haro*Lynsky*Monkey Faction*Origin8*Panasonic*Paramont*Peugeot*Ross*Schwinn*SE*Specialized*Trek
Today I had holes drilled into my bull-bars at the ends after the bends not anywhere near the stem.Installed Sram tt-500 aero brake levers.
05-07-19 | 01:35 PM
- Soli Deo Gloria -
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 14,779
Likes: 743
From: Northwest Georgia
Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix
Yesterday I did the Canyon "Belgian Waffle Ride" and I'm still trying to eat my way out of it today. I was riding it as a "team" with a few lower (racing) cat. teammates and just having fun. It features 40 miles of dirt/gravel/single track, some of which is MTB worthy (Lake Hodges). Doing it on 25 c tires on a rim brake road bike was not the best choice, but with 100 miles of road a full on gravel bike is a bit slow. Interesting mix of setups out there, really unique ride.
I had two rear flats within ~10 mi of eachother near the end which kinda pissed me off, but you can kinda expect to "burp" a tubeless road tire when you're constantly slamming it on rocks. The endless dirt lake hodges section really took it out of me.
After that (~100 miles in) I was so far back (about halfway down the starters) that I just hammered the remaining miles and just caught and passed tons of people which was kind of exciting I guess. I wasn't really hurting until the top of double peak (final steep climb) but at that point you're pretty much done.
Unique event! Honestly it made me want a more modern disc brake road bike so that I could run 28s or even 30s for it next year. Total blast!
Summary
Total time: 9:10:13
Duration: 8:25:25 (92%)
Moving time: 8:17:38 (90%)
Distance: 131.8mi
Climbing: 10262ft
RPE: -
I had two rear flats within ~10 mi of eachother near the end which kinda pissed me off, but you can kinda expect to "burp" a tubeless road tire when you're constantly slamming it on rocks. The endless dirt lake hodges section really took it out of me.
After that (~100 miles in) I was so far back (about halfway down the starters) that I just hammered the remaining miles and just caught and passed tons of people which was kind of exciting I guess. I wasn't really hurting until the top of double peak (final steep climb) but at that point you're pretty much done.
Unique event! Honestly it made me want a more modern disc brake road bike so that I could run 28s or even 30s for it next year. Total blast!
Summary
Total time: 9:10:13
Duration: 8:25:25 (92%)
Moving time: 8:17:38 (90%)
Distance: 131.8mi
Climbing: 10262ft
RPE: -
You might be surprised how well a good carbon frame with light wheels and supple tires actually rides.
My gravel bike with 38 mm tires can do 20 MPH on the flats all day long. I recently hit 51 MPH on paved descent. I was really surprised the first few rides after I built it.
-Tim-
05-07-19 | 01:47 PM
Super-duper Genius
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,759
Likes: 1,054
From: Muskrat Springs, Utah
05-07-19 | 02:13 PM
Not actually Tmonk
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 17,314
Likes: 6,101
From: San Diego, CA
Bikes: road, track, mtb
A decent gravel bike isn't going to be that much slower.
You might be surprised how well a good carbon frame with light wheels and supple tires actually rides.
My gravel bike with 38 mm tires can do 20 MPH on the flats all day long. I recently hit 51 MPH on paved descent. I was really surprised the first few rides after I built it.
-Tim-
You might be surprised how well a good carbon frame with light wheels and supple tires actually rides.
My gravel bike with 38 mm tires can do 20 MPH on the flats all day long. I recently hit 51 MPH on paved descent. I was really surprised the first few rides after I built it.
-Tim-
I def. saw more disc brakes and 30+ mm tires than what I was sporting, that's for sure. If I had a bike that could take those that's what I'd ride, maybe next year!
__________________
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
Last edited by TMonk; 05-07-19 at 02:20 PM.
05-07-19 | 02:20 PM
Not actually Tmonk
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 17,314
Likes: 6,101
From: San Diego, CA
Bikes: road, track, mtb
Another thing that's missing is practice... I figured since I'm a seasoned MTB'er that I'd be fine. Nope! haha, Really uncomfortable riding my road bike over that stuff. They had a bunch of recon rides, none of which I did as I figured I'd just wing it. You get what you pay for I guess.
__________________
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
05-09-19 | 12:42 PM
- Soli Deo Gloria -
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 14,779
Likes: 743
From: Northwest Georgia
Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix
Looks like a damn good time!
https://gravelcyclist.com/race-repor...-wil-matthews/
-Tim-
Last edited by TimothyH; 05-09-19 at 12:46 PM.
05-09-19 | 03:25 PM
Not actually Tmonk
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 17,314
Likes: 6,101
From: San Diego, CA
Bikes: road, track, mtb
Nice photos there, thanks for sharing! Some good photos of the Black Canyon climbing/descending, which is the big prominent section of the ride along with Hodges/Lemontwist. You do those sectors in both directions.
Next year it could be fun to try and "race" it by taking a more capable bike, recon-ing some of the dirt sections and not waiting for my buddies if we get separated (and vice-versa). I use quotations b/c there is no way that I'm winning something like this, but it could be fun to see how much time I can shave off.
Next year it could be fun to try and "race" it by taking a more capable bike, recon-ing some of the dirt sections and not waiting for my buddies if we get separated (and vice-versa). I use quotations b/c there is no way that I'm winning something like this, but it could be fun to see how much time I can shave off.
__________________
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
05-09-19 | 08:28 PM
- Soli Deo Gloria -
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 14,779
Likes: 743
From: Northwest Georgia
Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix
-Tim-
Last edited by TimothyH; 05-09-19 at 08:42 PM.
05-10-19 | 12:05 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 9,948
Likes: 400
From: PHL
Bikes: Litespeed Catalyst, IRO Rob Roy, All City Big Block
Today I spent an hour being annoyed. Recently changed the rim tape on my road bike's wheels from plastic strips to cloth Velox. Ever since, I've had severe hop in both tires that doesn't go away. Not amused.
05-10-19 | 12:17 PM
The space coyote lied.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 48,782
Likes: 11,004
From: dusk 'til dawn.
Bikes: everywhere
But I just use tubeless tape on everything these days.
8898 tape specifically.
05-10-19 | 12:35 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 9,948
Likes: 400
From: PHL
Bikes: Litespeed Catalyst, IRO Rob Roy, All City Big Block
On the bright side, the good tires are going onto my fixed gear now.
05-10-19 | 12:43 PM
The space coyote lied.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 48,782
Likes: 11,004
From: dusk 'til dawn.
Bikes: everywhere
There are a lotta rims that don't have enough room between the ledge and the bead hook for Velox where it overlaps around the valve hole.
05-10-19 | 03:20 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22,676
Likes: 2,642
From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
05-10-19 | 03:32 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 9,948
Likes: 400
From: PHL
Bikes: Litespeed Catalyst, IRO Rob Roy, All City Big Block
05-13-19 | 08:29 AM
- Soli Deo Gloria -
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 14,779
Likes: 743
From: Northwest Georgia
Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix
Sunday I went for a trail run...
And discovered a random civil war era iron furnace in the woods. Scale is difficult to show but this thing is at least two stories tall.
And discovered a random civil war era iron furnace in the woods. Scale is difficult to show but this thing is at least two stories tall.
05-13-19 | 09:48 AM
Not actually Tmonk
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 17,314
Likes: 6,101
From: San Diego, CA
Bikes: road, track, mtb
Had this in my inbox this morning. I put in a lot of work this season and it hasn't been all roses. I feel so relieved to have met my goal, and to feel like I can relax with the training and racing a bit.
Dear David Garcia,
The following request to change your USA/Road category has been approved and processed by USA Cycling:
tmonk - 2019-05-11 0:47
Member: David Garcia
License: USA Road
Request to change category from Cat 3 to Cat 2
Dear David Garcia,
The following request to change your USA/Road category has been approved and processed by USA Cycling:
tmonk - 2019-05-11 0:47
Member: David Garcia
License: USA Road
Request to change category from Cat 3 to Cat 2
__________________
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
05-14-19 | 11:40 AM
Not actually Tmonk
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 17,314
Likes: 6,101
From: San Diego, CA
Bikes: road, track, mtb
...and just like that, I've been asked to participate on the elite team's TTT squad this year. Only thing is, I've never ridden a TT bike more than a few blocks, and I just picked one up (borrowing) last night. Also the race is in 3 weeks. Not gonna have enough time to really adapt but should have enough time to tweak the position and do some pratice runs.
For those not in the know, the TTT (team time trial) is a race where you start with a 4-man team and try to cover a course (24 mi, flat) as quickly as possible. Time is marked as third rider across the line so you can "burn" one by making him work disproportionately in the first half. For a race like this you pick a speed (say, 30 mph) then work out how long each rider spends on the front due to their ability. For some riders, it might be 10 seconds, for others, might be 60.
This should be fun! Time to start practicing. I did one of these as a brand new racer in college on road bikes and it was a total **** show, riders accelerating too hard at first, getting dropped etc. But fun! It will be even more fun to do it with more fitness, skill, experience and practice.
For those not in the know, the TTT (team time trial) is a race where you start with a 4-man team and try to cover a course (24 mi, flat) as quickly as possible. Time is marked as third rider across the line so you can "burn" one by making him work disproportionately in the first half. For a race like this you pick a speed (say, 30 mph) then work out how long each rider spends on the front due to their ability. For some riders, it might be 10 seconds, for others, might be 60.
This should be fun! Time to start practicing. I did one of these as a brand new racer in college on road bikes and it was a total **** show, riders accelerating too hard at first, getting dropped etc. But fun! It will be even more fun to do it with more fitness, skill, experience and practice.
__________________
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
Last edited by TMonk; 05-15-19 at 11:54 PM.
05-14-19 | 10:03 PM
Not actually Tmonk
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 17,314
Likes: 6,101
From: San Diego, CA
Bikes: road, track, mtb
Spent some time this evening tweaking the TT bike position with the trainer and a mirror. Rode it around the 'hood for like 10 min in the position and now my neck hurts. About to start gluing tubulars to my new track wheels (55 mm carbon), applied base layers to the tire and wheels last night. Fun doing all this new stuff!
__________________
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
05-15-19 | 10:58 AM
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 9,948
Likes: 400
From: PHL
Bikes: Litespeed Catalyst, IRO Rob Roy, All City Big Block
Today's ride started with a flat about 15 minutes in -- massive pothole snuck up on me and I tried to bunnyhop over but the rear didn't clear it. Lucky I saw it when I did though. If my front wheel had hit it, I likely would've crashed bad.
05-15-19 | 08:01 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,501
Likes: 98
05-16-19 | 06:30 AM
- Soli Deo Gloria -
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 14,779
Likes: 743
From: Northwest Georgia
Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix
Its an iron blast furnace used to separate iron from ore. LMK if you want to check it out. There are several in our area. The one in the photo above is the Lewis-Oak Grove furnace.
https://www.be-roberts.com/se/ruins/furnace-index.htm
Pretty hot work for lousy pay...
https://www.be-roberts.com/se/ruins/furnace-index.htm
Pretty hot work for lousy pay...
05-16-19 | 11:18 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22,676
Likes: 2,642
From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Today my rear tire went flat while I was at work, and I had to use my last virgin 650B tube to get home. So I cracked open a tube of glue and patched all the stretchy bois.
Last edited by ThermionicScott; 05-16-19 at 11:31 PM.
05-17-19 | 11:10 AM
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 9,948
Likes: 400
From: PHL
Bikes: Litespeed Catalyst, IRO Rob Roy, All City Big Block
Not SS/FG specific but Outskirts 3 released today. For those who don't know, Thereabouts/Outskirts is a really cool documentary series, great inspiration to go out and do cool rides:
05-17-19 | 11:35 AM
Not actually Tmonk
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 17,314
Likes: 6,101
From: San Diego, CA
Bikes: road, track, mtb
cool vid, is that Lachlan Morton? Always dug him.
__________________
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste